Pilot-lamp-operating mechanism.



3M Q6? K 97W W. E. ANDERSBN.

PILOT LAMP OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 001221, 1911.

1 @37,816, Patented Sept.3,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. E; ANDERSEN.

PILOT LAMP OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED 0OT.2L!\1911.

awuwntoz G lz rdlifwraem 'WILFOBD E. ANQERSE OF EMMETT, IDAHO.

PILOT-LAMP-OPERLT ING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 21, 1911. SerialNo. 656,059.

To all whom itmay concern:

Be it known that I, lVILroRn E. Anora- SEN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Emmett, in the county of Canyon and State of Idaho,have invented new ful Improvements in Pilot-Lamp-Operating Mechanism, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The invention relates to lamp controlling mechanism, and moreparticularly to the class of automatic lamp operating mechanism forautomobiles or other self-propelled 5 vehicles.

I sions, or other accidents failure of the light ,trated in theaccompanying in which the automobile or other vehicle is traveling,thereby avoiding head-on collibeing thrown in the path offtravel of theautomobile or the like,

when rounding curves or being deflected from astraightcourse.

A further object of the invention is the provision of lamp operatingmechanism of this character adapted to be mounted upon the automobileand connected with the steer- .ing mechanism, whereby the lamps may beturned by said mechanism for directing the light therefrom in the samedirection of travel of the vehicle, the mechanism being simple inconstruction, thoroughly reliable and eflicient in operation, andinexpensive in manufacture. I

With these and other objects in view, the invention consistsin theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will behereinafter more fully described, illusdrawings, and ointed out in theclaims hereunto appended.

In tbedrawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of the front portion ofan autoi'nobileframe, showing the steering mechanism connected therewithconstructed in accordance with-the invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentaryside elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional "view through thesupporting sleeve and use-' plan view light in the direction inresultant from the or housing for one of the turning posts supportingthe lamp bracket. Fig. t is a similar view through the other sleeve orhousing. Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the crank arms. Fig. (i is afragmentary sectional View through the throw rod connection between thecrank arm and the steering mechanism of the automobile Fig. 7 is a ofthe sleeve shown in Fig. 6. Similar reference characters indicatecorresponding parts throughout the several views of the-drawings.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 5 designates the side bars ofthesupporting frame of an automobile of any ordinary well-knownconstruction, 6 the stationary front axle having at opposite ends theusual turning knuckles 7 for the axle spindles 8, and 10 the frontground wheels which are journaled upon the spindles 8, the turningknuckles 7 being provided with rearwardly converging arms 11, to whichis pivoted, in the usual manner, a connecting rod 12, so that on theturning of one knuckle 7, a similar movement will be imparted to theother knuckle, thereby effecting the turning of the front wheels 10 inthe same direction with respect'to each other. Mounted in the frame ofthe automobile is the customary steering post 13 having connections 14and 15', as usual, with the crank 16 formed on one of the turningknuckles 7, so that. upon operating the steering rod 13, the frontwheels 10 may be turned in the ordinary well-known manner. The foregoingconstruction of the automobile is common to most makes of cars and formsno part of the present invention.

The lamp steering mechanismcomprises a pair of vertically arrangedhousings or sleeves 17 formed with bases 18 which are bolted orotherwise secured to the side bars of the automobile frame. at a pointforwardly of the stationary axle (3, and in the housings or sleeves 17are journaled turning posts 19, each being formed with an integral uppercone 20. and a dust cap 21, the said caps 21 being designed to close theupper end of the housings or sleeves 17, while rcmovably fitted on theposts 19 are lower cones 22, the same being acted upon by coiledexpansion springs 23 surrounding the posts 19 within the sleeves orhousings 17, so as to hold the cones in position for con fining bearingballs 2% therebetween. Surrounding the lower ends of the turning postsPatented Sept. 3, 1912.

the contracted portion 44 of 19 are the usual washers 25, and threadedon the said lower ends of the posts are look nuts 26 which preventtheremoval 'of the posts from the sleer es or housings 17 when fittedtherein, but permit the free turning thereof.

Formed on the posts, near the upper ends thereof are squared portions 27which are engaged in squared perforated ends of turning arms 28, thelatter being fastened to the upper ends of the posts 19 by means of locknuts 29 which also connect thereto the forked brackets 30 carrying theusual pilot lamps 31, the turning arms 28 bein b connected with aconnecting rod 32, so that the said posts 19 will be turned in unisonfor the adjustment of the pilot lamps.

Loosely surrounding one of the posts 19, at the lower end thereof, isthe collar end 33 of a turning crank 34, the same having pivotallyconnected thereto one end of a throw rod 35, the opposite end of whichis provided with a tubular fitting 36 provided in one side with anelongated key-hole shaped slot 37, through which projects a stem 38formed with a ball terminal 39, the said stem carrying a clip 4.0 boltedthereto, whereby the stem may be adjustably secured to the connection 15of the steering mechanism of the automobile. Slidably arranged withinthe tubular fitting 36 at opposite sides of theball terminal aresocketed follower blocks 41, against which work coiled expansion springs42 located within the said fitting 36, the outer end of one springworking against a washer 43 resting against the fitting 36, while theother spring has its outer end working against a washer 45 closing theouter open end of the fitting 36, and resting against a cotter pin 46passed through the said fitting 36, the follower blocks 41 and thesprings 49 being designed to serve as a cushioning dcw'ice for the stem.38, so as to absorb shocks and jars transmit-ted thereto, during theoperation of the steering mechanism of the automobile.

Arranged above the collar end 33 of the turning crank 34 is a splitclamping ring 47. the. same being tor-med with spaced parallel ears 4-8.between which is engaged a swinging latch 49, the same being connected'to the ca rs by means of a bolt memher 50 engaged by a winged nut 51.,so that the latch may be locked in adjusted position, the latch 49 beingadapted for engagement in any one of a plurality of notches 59 formed inthe upper face of the collar end 33 of the turning crank 34. so as tolock it with the turning posts 19 on which the latch steering mechanismand said clamping collar 47 is secured. When the 49 is thrown out ofengagement with any one of the notches 52 in the collar end 33 of theturning crank 34, it freesthe same from locked engagement with theturnin 'posts, and the said latch 49 will then be thrown into en agementwith the notch 53 formed in the lower end of the sleeve housing adjacentthereto. Thus, in this manner, the pilot lamps will locked stationary,so as to prevent turnin thereof, during the operation of the steeringmechanism if deslred. The reason for providing a plurality of notches 52in the turning crank 34 is to enable the proper adjust-- ment of thepilot lamps, so that the light may. be thrown therefrom durin thesteering of the automobile in the (firection of travel thereof.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,it is thought that the construction and o eratlon of the invention willbe readily un erstood, without requiring a more extended explanation.

What is claimed is: 1. The combination with steering mechanism of an,automobile, of tubular housings adapted to bemounted upon the frame ofan automobile, turning posts journaled in said housings, means forsynchronously operating said posts, lamp supporting brackets fixed tosaid turning posts, lamps carried by said brackets, a turning crankhaving a collar loosely engaged with one of saidturning posts, aclamping ring resting upon said collar, connections between said crank,and means carried by said clamping ring for alternately locking the postto the housing receiving the same. and to the turning crank.

2, The combination with the steering mechanism of an automobile ofhousings adapted to be mounted. upon the frame of an automobile, postsjournaled n said housings. a turning crank having a collar looselyengaged with one of said posts, a clamping ring resting upon saidcollar, connections between said steering mechanism and said crank. andmeans carried by said clamping ring for alternately locking the post tothe housing receiving the same and to the turning crank.

Tn testimony whereof I atlix my SIgnature in presence of two witnesses.

.lVlLFORD ltl. ANDllllSEN.

l'Vitnesses:

W. T. CROUCH, Anon HownLL.

